Finally, gone in a flash. Some of us would like to forget those old family portraits, crazy hair and crazy clothes, but after learning sears portrait studios are closing for good, we wondered what are we getting instead? A culture of people snapping photos of themselves? Juju chang on the end of one era and the beginning of another. Reporter: The iconic sears portrait feels like something from a bygone era, dying out in part due to the rise of the selfy, the digital self-portrait, the cultural touchstone of our age. We're recording a video. This psychologist wonders if we're becoming a selfy nation, self-involved, self-promoting oversharers. When you send out photos of yourself, you send out the message look at me, admire me, give me approval. Reporter: One study followed college students over time and found narcissistic traits rising as the same rate as obesity. Is posting selfies to blame? Ironically that is not narcissistic in the grandiose sense because a lot of girls are insecure. They can co-exist, narcissism and looking for validation can and usually do co-exist. Reporter: Why are we fascinated with ourselves? I think it's the truth. Reporter: The globe trotting photographer who made a name for himself on "america's top model." More about what you're trying to say, trying to get date or purely to say here I am or to send to your mother? There are so many messages. Why are you taking the selfy? I want to say I'm in this cool place with nigel. There you go. Reporter: Juju chang, abc news, new york.

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